faithful Jews

There is something similar in Matthew, chapter 24:20, but not in Luke.Mark indicated that Jesus said that they should pray (προσεύχεσθε δὲ) that their flight would not happen in the winter (ἵνα μὴ γένηται χειμῶνος). Matthew added the comment about the Sabbath, since Matthew considered himself and the followers of Jesus as faithful Jews. However, Mark made no mention about fleeing on the Sabbath.

Mark, chapter 13:18, mentions only the problem of winter, while Luke does not mention a bad time at all. Jesus said to pray (προσεύχεσθε δὲ) that their flight would not be in the winter (ἵνα μὴ γένηται ἡ φυγὴ ὑμῶν χειμῶνος) or on a Sabbath (μηδὲ σαββάτῳ). Matthew added the comment about the Sabbath since he considered himself and the followers of Jesus as faithful Jews.

This is another saying of Jesus, only found in Matthew, that carries on with the theme of the hypocrites. However, this time it is about prayer. When the followers of Jesus went to pray (Καὶ ὅταν προσεύχησθε), they should not be like the hypocrites (οὐκ ἔσεσθε ὡς οἱ ὑποκριταί) who love to stand praying in the synagogues and the street corners (ὅτι φιλοῦσιν ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς καὶ ἐν ταῖς γωνίαις τῶν πλατειῶν ἑστῶτες προσεύχεσθαι). Just as they had done with their almsgiving, these hypocrites wanted to be seen by other men (ὅπως φανῶσιν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις). Certainly, there was the common times for prayer of the faithful Jews. The Greek word for hypocrites “οἱ ὑποκριταὶ” originally meant actors or someone who sought praise, while acting deceitfully. According to Matthew, these hypocrites were usually the enemies of Jesus. Just as about almsgiving, Matthew has Jesus give a solemn saying (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν) concluding that these men who sought human appeal have already received their reward (ἀπέχουσιν τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν). Is this a repudiation of public prayer?

Daniel also saw in his night visions, something like the son of man coming from heaven. This son of man went to the Ancient One and presented himself to God. However, he was given dominion, glory and kingship over all people, nations, and languages. Everyone would serve him, since his kingdom would last forever, and never be destroyed. This had been often interpreted as the coming of the Messiah, the savior. The usage of the term ‘son of man’ may be a reference to Jesus, since he and his disciples used this term. However, in the Book of Ezekiel, Yahweh used this term for Ezekiel. Here it may also mean a symbol of faithful Jews or the archangel Michael, although he might not be a son of man.